Q & A with Ann Petersen, CFE

Ann Petersen of Argentina recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles. When she is not working, Ann enjoys traveling to different countries and spending time with her family and friends. This past July, however, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Ann believes the knowledge she gained during her preparation will broaden her career possibilities as an auditor and will provide her with compliance offers and other opportunities.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Petersen: I received my CFE credential on July 29, 2016.
 
Coach:  You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles, and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site.  Please describe your experience of participating in the four-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after. 

Petersen: It was an intense course that’s very well designed for obtaining the CFE credential. Each day concentrated on a specific exam section and included technical knowledge, examples and tips. You could take a section of the exam at the end of each day just after reviewing that day’s content. Having lunch on-site with other students encouraged networking and sharing experiences with other colleagues. Flexibility was another thing I appreciated: I wanted to take the International Law exam instead of the U.S. one, so I was able to take it at my hotel online and get the results while I was at the course.  
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?  

Petersen: The trainers were excellent. They shared real examples and offered extra help when someone needed it based on their professional background (accounting tips for lawyers, deeper law explanations for other types of professionals, etc.). The content taught each day highlighted the core information required to pass that section of the exam. 
 
Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Petersen: I work in internal audit at a multinational company, so fraud-related skills are a must. I investigate fraud reports received through our ethics hotline, among other duties. Having the CFE credential — and the knowledge involved in getting it — is highly appreciated and broadens my career possibilities not only as an auditor, but also for compliance offers and other opportunities. 
 
Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?  

Petersen: I started studying two months before attending the course and tried to cover the four parts. While at the review course, I took a 20-minute break at the end of each day to clear my mind before starting the on-site exam. 
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues? 

Petersen: Yes, I have already recommended it to my colleagues.The course allows you to focus for four full days on achieving your goal of obtaining the CFE credential and encourages you to start studying ahead of time since you have already set the date you are going to sit for the exams. Having a demanding job does not always leave you with enough time to prepare for the exams by yourself. 
 
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Petersen: Since I became an auditor, I was always fascinated with fraud and thought that more should be done by organizations to prevent fraudsters from getting away with their deceptions. Doing the right thing makes a difference. For the past five years, I was responsible for the ethics area in my company, and I enjoyed each day of work —investigating whistleblowers’ tips, celebrating solved cases and enduring the ones where evidence was not conclusive to catch the fraudster. When you start combating fraud, there’s no turning back — you love it!
 
Coach:  Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun, and what do you find enjoyable about it?

Petersen: I enjoy traveling with my husband to different countries where we discover new cultures and places. I love spending time with my family, especially my nieces. I also enjoy gathering with my dearest friends. 
 
Coach:  Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Petersen: Yes, look at the CFE Exam Review Course calendar on ACFE.com, book the one that most suits you some months in advance and get started. Take the pre-assessment test in the Prep Course to figure out your weakest section and begin with that one. Do not hesitate to begin this journey: You will not regret your decision, and your effort will be rewarded with the CFE credential.

Q & A with Jimmy Wong, CFE

Jimmy Wong of Virginia became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles, CA. In his spare time, he loves to cook and spend time with his family. This past July, Jimmy focused on accomplishing his goal of obtaining the CFE credential, which he believes will enable him to better identify, prevent, and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in his organization.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Wong:  I became certified on July 22, 2016.

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site. Please describe your experience of participating in the four-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after.

Wong: At first, the idea of the four-day CFE Exam Review Course might sound overwhelming, but it is manageable. The instructors are subject matter experts in their areas and provided great examples to help reinforce the material covered on the exam. It was very helpful to be able to sit for the exam at the end of each day, as the information was still fresh in my head. Also, it was definitely rewarding knowing whether you had successfully passed each session shortly afterward.
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course? 

Wong: I liked the fact that the review questions provided after each session help reinforce the understanding of the course content. The instructors were very knowledgeable in the subject areas and provided real-world applications to reinforce what was covered in the course content.
 
Coach:  In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Wong: My new CFE credential provides the knowledge that will enable me to better identify, prevent, and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in my organization. 
 
Coach:  How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?

Wong: Prior to attending the review course, I took the pre-assessment exam provided with the online CFE Exam Prep Course to understand which areas were my weakest. In preparation for each day's session, I read over the review material and wrote down notes and questions so that I could ask the instructors during the lectures. After class each day, I made sure to find some time to complete the practice exams provided with the online prep course.
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Wong:  Yes, I highly recommend this course to my colleagues and individuals who plan to sit for the CFE Exam.
 
Coach:  How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Wong:  Back in 2007, I recall watching a television show called Fraud Squad, which aimed to promote public awareness about the global problem of fraud. Ever since that day, I always wanted to be part of a team doing behind-the-scenes forensic accounting to prevent and detect fraud. A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to be able to join the Inspector General (IG) community and be part of a team of individuals that contributes to promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in an organization. We work together to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. I learned about the CFE credential from a colleague during an audit and decided it was something that I wanted to pursue. 
 
Coach: Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun and what do you find enjoyable about it?

Wong: I am a foodie and love to cook. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with family and my lovely 5-month-old daughter, Megan. 
 
Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Wong: I recommend taking time to study the CFE Exam Prep Course materials and taking the pre-assessment exam to identify your strongest and weakest subjects. This method will enable you to allocate time and resources in an efficient manner as you prepare for your exam date. 

Q & A with Homoud Alfayez, CFE

Homoud Alfayez became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles, CA. Homoud is in the accounting field and is passionate about fraud. He’s confident that his new CFE credential will help him shift his career so that he can focus entirely on fighting fraud. When Homoud is not working, he enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Alfayez: I received my CFE certification announcement on July 23, 2016.
 
Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site.  Please describe your experience of participating in the four-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after.
Alfayez: Honestly, when I first signed up for the course, I was very hesitant to take the exams right after the lectures because it sounded like too much. However, when I arrived for the first day, the lecturer was very encouraging and supportive, so I decided to give it a try. I am very glad I listened to him.
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course? 
Alfayez: I enjoyed a lot of things:

• The material was well organized and right to the point, which I liked very much, especially compared to the Fraud Examiners Manual. The manual contains a lot of details and will therefore be more beneficial as a reference resource after getting the credential than for exam preparation.
• I liked the atmosphere of the hall and how everyone was engaged and committed.
• Everything was taken care of, and I was able to find an answer for any question I had since ACFE staff was always nearby.
• John Gill is funny. 

Coach:  In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Alfayez: I am currently in the accounting field, and I am personally passionate about fraud. I am confident that this credential will help me a lot in shifting my career so I can focus my effort entirely on fighting fraud.

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?
Alfayez: Right after the lecture every day, I would go up to my room, sit and relax for one hour and go through the important material until I felt confident taking the exam.  
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Absolutely. If anyone is interested in becoming a CFE, I highly recommend taking the CFE Exam Review Course. Doing so saves time and money.
 
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Alfayez: I have an accounting background, and honestly, accounting limits your ability to be creative and inventive. And yet, I love accounting. Then I came across the anti-fraud field, and I realized that it is the perfect combination of the two things I like. Fighting fraud is as limited as your imagination is.
 
Coach: Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun, and what do you find enjoyable about it?
Alfayez: I believe traveling is the best answer to any question and the best medication for any illness. Exploring other lands and people will always make you wonder. Once you keep wondering, you will be open and ready for any challenge in life. We are very fortunate to live in this time where traveling is enjoyable; it was miserable and a punishment not long ago. 
 
Coach:  Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?
Alfayez: I think I talked too much, but here is one more thought: Once you become a CFE, know that this is only the beginning. You have to keep up with what is happening around you, not just in the fraud area, but everywhere in the business world. By not being involved and staying up-to-date, you are indirectly harming the very thing you hope you are doing right—reducing fraud worldwide. 

Q & A with Tara Hilton, CFE

Tara Hilton of Albuquerque, New Mexico, recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Tara also coaches girls club volleyball. This past July, however, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. The process of obtaining her CFE has broadened Tara’s fraud-related knowledge and skillset, and it has provided her with information that she didn’t have before. Tara believes that having her CFE will open many doors for her career.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential? 

Hilton: I was certified on July 22, 2016. 
 
Coach:  You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles, and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site. Please describe your experience of participating in the four-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after.

Hilton: I thought that attending the review course and taking the exam on the same day aided me in passing each exam. It does make for a long day, but my scores were significantly higher than when I took the online practice exams.
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?

Hilton: The course content was excellent and was tailored to all adult learning styles. I really enjoyed HOW the facilitators taught the content. I was really able to grasp concepts that I wasn’t able to fully understand just by reading the manual.
 
Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Hilton: Fraud-related training at my credit union is limited. The ACFE provides training that I am unable to obtain anywhere else. Attaining my CFE has broadened my training, knowledge, and skillset, providing me with information that I did not have before. Also, having my CFE opens many doors for my career.
 
Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?

Hilton: After a full day of instruction, I did allow myself 15 minutes to review that day’s content. I specifically concentrated on my weak topics, and when ready, I made sure I was as comfortable as possible (i.e., taking time for a restroom break, snack, or drink) before taking each exam.  There is no per-question time limit when taking the on-site exam, which is worth its weight in gold. In speaking with other participants, one person had a really great idea. That idea was to take the online practice exam the evening before the next day’s topic. So if the Law section review was on Tuesday, I spent a couple of hours on Monday evening after dinner taking the Law online practice exam. That way my mind was prepared for the next day’s topic.
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Hilton: Absolutely! Life has a lot of distractions, and this was the perfect way to get away and solely concentrate on the material. I really do think that I tested better and attained better scores with the review course than if I had attempted to take the CFE Exam online.
 
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Hilton: I became passionate about fraud by accident. I worked in a credit union collections department, and the fraud investigator happened to be in the same department. I always loved catching fraud when I was a teller, and the fraud investigator took me under his wing and showed me how he investigated his cases. I then moved to a different credit union to oversee collections. A fraud investigator position opened up, and I was asked to apply. I did, got the job, and haven’t looked back since. I love investigating fraud and am super talented at it. I wish I had found it earlier in my career, but I’m very fortunate that I discovered my passion for fraud investigations when I did. I love it!
 
Coach:  Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun and what do you find enjoyable about it?

Hilton:  When I am not investigating fraud, I am spending time with my family, which includes a love for traveling. Additionally, I coach girls club volleyball, concentrating on the high school level. I love to see the girls’ growth. I also play competitive volleyball, and my goal is to play at nationals next year.
 
Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Hilton: I started studying the Fraud Examiners Manual and reviewing Prep Course questions four months prior to attending the CFE Exam Review Course. As I got closer to the course, I allotted more time for studying. I do suggest contacting the CFE Exam Coach for suggestions. Everyone studies and learns differently, and tapping into that expertise is worth it. I do not suggest going to the review course without studying ahead of time. One month prior to the course, I was studying two hours per day, five days per week. I actually had notebooks for each of the four topic areas. I would allot myself 30 minutes to review and write notes for each section. So every night, I was covering information from all four areas. Studying before the course really lightened the load. I could concentrate on the areas that I didn’t get to when studying (and not beat myself up over it). I am very thankful that I did study.
 

Q & A with Madeline Patterson-Baleno, CFE

Madeline Patterson-Baleno recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in New York. When she’s not working, Madeline enjoys spending time with her family. This past April, however, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Madeline believes that both the credential itself and the knowledge she gained while studying for her CFE will benefit her professionally by showing her colleagues and peers that she is competent in fraud matters.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential? 
Patterson-Baleno: I was certified April 28, 2016

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in New York and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site. Please describe your experience of participating in the 4-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after.
Patterson-Baleno: It felt like fraud boot camp, but that is what I liked about it! I studied with the CFE Exam Prep Course, but I felt like the in-class experience helped me retain the information better because the material was presented in a different way. Sitting for the exam immediately after attending class was helpful. The information was fresh in my mind, and getting my results right away was a huge confidence booster.  

Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course? 
Patterson-Baleno: I really appreciated getting the exam results right away. It was very reassuring to move forward to the next part of the exam knowing that I did not have to worry about the previous section and that my time studying had paid off. I also enjoyed meeting people who all had the same goal as I did, regardless of their background or experience. I returned with a fresh perspective on my career. 

Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession? 
Patterson-Baleno: I feel that having the CFE credential is beneficial because it shows colleagues and peers that I have a competency in the area of fraud. Maintaining a credential shows that an effort is being made to stay current with fraud trends, which is very important. 

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day? 
Patterson-Baleno: I studied with the Prep Course almost every day, in short blocks of time. It was important for me to have the information in my long-term memory and feel confident going to the review course. I spent so much time studying before the review course that I did not study after class. Instead, I used that time to make sure that I got enough rest so I could fully concentrate the next day. 

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues? 
Patterson-Baleno: I have already recommended this course to colleagues. 

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Patterson-Baleno: In 2011, management moved me out of a call center position into a newly created fraud position. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

Coach: Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun and what do you find enjoyable about it?
Patterson-Baleno: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family. 

Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?
Patterson-Baleno: Take full advantage of the CFE Exam Prep Course and CFE Exam Review Course. The amount of questions in the Prep Course is intimidating at first, but the questions go by fast because the content is so interesting. I was actually a little disappointed when I finished!